RJ Jazul could not help but smile last Sunday.
Up against Ateneo High School’s archrival De La Salle-Zobel, his son Sky delivered his finest game for the blue-and-white.
The 13-year-old guard scored 21 points and grabbed nine rebounds — including waxing hot early with four treys before draining key baskets down the stretch to carry the Blue Eagles to a stunning 72-64 win over the Junior Archers in the UAAP Season 87 Junior High School Basketball Tournament.
Not bad for one of the youngest student-athletes in the field.
“Siyempre, as a father, nakaka-proud,” said the 38-year-old RJ, who is still playing for Phoenix in the PBA. “He has been working hard for everything since bata pa siya. Me and his mom have been telling him that this is the opportunity to show his skills on a big stage.
“As a player, malayo pa yung anak ko. First step pa lang ito if he wants to have a career sa basketball. Marami pang kakainin na bigas, kumbaga.”
During the inaugural edition of the tournament, young Sky played sparingly for the Blue Eagles, averaging just four minutes a contest in the single round-robin tournament.
But it was just a test of his fortitude and patience, which he passed with flying colors.
“I’ve been expecting this since last year. Big things are expected of him. He is a very good boy, a very good player. He listens to his coaches and respects his teammates,” said Blue Eagles’ 16-and-under head coach Reggie Aromin about Sky.
“There is nowhere for him to go but up, especially if he keeps this attitude.”
“I always ask him if he really wants to play basketball. If he does, talagang may pressure. He has to live with that. Eto nga ngayon, dito sa UAAP, malaki na yung crowd and if hindi niya kaya, tigil na natin ‘to. What more pa sa next level, ‘di ba?” added RJ, an NCAA champion with Letran and part of the original iteration of Gilas Pilipinas.
“Dapat, habang maaga, ma-handle niya yung pressure. If he really wants it, gawin niya yung dapat niyang gawin at hindi lang kung gusto lang niya.”
Coach’s Son
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
RJ has also been helping the Blue Eagles as he was tapped as a consultant for Ateneo.
Despite being in season in the PBA, the 5-foot-11 guard still goes to Moro Lorenzo Gym in the early hours of the morning to help out the young Eagles.
“Actually, noon pa, nagco-coach na ako ng mga club teams pero dito sa Ateneo, focus ako sa mga skills ng mga bata. Just helping out and giving back sa basketball,” said the 14-year pro.
“Malayo ang narating ko sa basketball kaya I have to give back.”
His contributions, though, are not going unnoticed.
“Very, very big. Unang-una siya tagadala namin ng pagkain,” quipped Aromin.
“Yung valuable experience niya from the PBA and the collegiate ranks is very important to the boys. He is our skills coach. He wakes up very early in the morning; he is at Moro by 6 a.m. to help hone the skills of the boys. Hindi siya nagsasawa at hindi siya napapagod,” he expressed.
“I can only be grateful for what he is doing for us.”
It has also brought RJ closer to Sky.
That is why the elder Jazul always reminds his son that learning never stops, even for him.
“Sa akin naman, sa aming dalawa, game by game, day by day. You cannot look so far ahead. Pag tapos na yung game, it’s just a memory. You have to learn something about it,” said RJ.
“Sabi nila win or lose? Sa amin, win and win lang. Manalo ka, okay; matalo ka, there’s a lesson to be learned.”
